Union Elementary School Partners with Sister Schools of Costa Rica!

Windy Kelley's 5 Grade, Union Elementary School: Montpelier, Vermont

Please scroll down to see more images and to learn about OxCarts!

A note from Kristina:

“I am so excited to be sharing this next blog posting with you!

Back in November 2008 I began the very first Kids Share Workshops (known then as Portraits for Charity) in Windy Kelley’s classroom with a wonderful group of kids and one very special child, Ash Brittenham, who was turned into a super hero! The children learned how to create tissue art, similar to the Eric Carle technique. They created their own group illustrations and had their work placed in two paintings of Ash. Their wonderful cultural connection was with the Tibetan Children’s Village in Bylakuppe, India. (See images in slideshow below)

The excitement I felt last week was super to be able to return to Windy’s classroom, meet her new wonderful group of 5th graders and make the very very first Sister School (Partners of the Americas) Costa Rica and Vermont connection! On January 17th Windy’s students were able to ask Lorena Frias, president of Sister Schools (Partners of the Americas) in Costa Rica and coordinator with Kids Share Workshops some interesting questions via skype. We even got to met her 15 year old nephew Gabrielle and ask him some questions! It was very successful and exciting for us to see Lorena in her home in Costa Rica!

After some discussion and thought Windy agreed to sign up her classroom to be the very first sister school partner with Costa Rica in Vermont! Lorena facilitated Windy and I to help make that connection.

Our first sister school will be with Escuela Peters in the rural, beautiful artist community of Sarchi, Costa Rica! I enjoyed meeting many of the students last October and I am very excited to return and teach the KSW program! The community of Sarchi is famously known of its beautiful Oxcart designs which can be seen on bridges,  large decorative wheels, Oxcarts and store fronts! You can see a sample of this  and read about Oxcarts below.

I will be leaving for Costa Rica January 27 to teach for two weeks. Our exchange will be February 8-10, a three day program at Escuela Peters. We will be connecting with Windy’s classroom at 11:00 am in Vermont and 10am in Costa Rica’s time. I have designed a simple exchange for each 30 minute skype classroom meeting. Day 1: introductions, Day 2: Share something from home and finally Day 3: make our Pen Pal exchanges for the remainder of the school year. Windy will be receiving updates from Sister Schools and her new connection with Escuela Peters throughout the year. Kids Share Workshops will help facilitate the on-going connection we hope to keep each year.

Wish us luck as we make our first cross cultural connections with Costa Rica and Vermont Kids!

As always, thank you for your support and I will see you in Costa Rica!”

-Kristina Applegate, Program Director and Founder of Kids Share Workshops

*A special thanks to Green Mountain Coffee Roaster’s Farmer Relations Manager, Winston Rost! Without the funding and support from GMCR this exchange with Vermont and Costa Rica would not have been possible. Kristina will be teaching in 3-4 Sister School Communities and 2 GMCR coffee communities January/February 2012. Art supplies and more are being donated by GMCR and Kristina’s travel expenses.

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THE OXCARTS OF SARCHÍ Sarchí is famous as the home of gaily decorated wooden carretas(oxcarts), the internationally recognized symbol of Costa Rica. The carts, which once dominated the rural landscape of the central highlands, date back only to the end of the 19th century. Sadly, they are rarely seen in use today, though they are a common decorative item.

At the height of the coffee boom and before the construction of the Atlantic Railroad, oxcarts were used to transport coffee beans to Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast–a journey requiring 10-15 days. In the rainy season, the oxcart trail became a quagmire. Costa Ricans thus forged their own spokeless wheel–a hybrid between the Aztec disc and the Spanish spoked wheel–to cut through the mud without becoming bogged down. In their heyday, some 10,000 cumbersome, squeaking carretas had a dynamic impact on the local economy, spawning highway guards, smithies, inns, teamsters, and crews to maintain the roads.

Today’s carretas bear little resemblance to the original rough-hewn, rectangular, cane-framed vehicles covered by rawhide tarps. Even then, though, the compact wheels–about four or five feet in diameter–were natural canvases awaiting an artist. Enter the wife of Fructuoso Barrantes, a cart maker in San Ramó n with a paintbrush and a novel idea. She enlivened her husband’s cart wheels with a geometric starburst design in bright colors set off by black and white. Soon every farmer in the district had given his aged carreta a lively new image.

By 1915, flowers had bloomed beside the pointed stars. Faces and even miniature landscapes soon appeared. And annual contests (still held today) were arranged to reward the most creative artists. The carretas in fact, had ceased to be purely functional and had become every farmer’s pride and joy. Each cart was also designed to make its own “song,” a chime as unique as a fingerprint, produced by a metal ring striking the hubnut of the wheel as the cart bumped along. Supposedly, the intention was to allow the farm owner to hear his laborers. Once the oxcart had become a source of individual pride, greater care was taken in their construction, and the best-quality woods were selected to make the best sounds.

Today, the carretas forced from the fields by the advent of tractors and trucks, are almost purely decorative, but the craft and the art form live on in SarchÍ, where artisans still apply their masterly touch at two fábricas de carretas (workshops), which are open to view. A finely made reproduction oxcart can cost up to $5,000.

The Ox-cart Museum, in Salitral de Desamparados, on the southern outskirts of San José, has displays of campesino life, including a collection of hand-painted oxcarts, in a typical old adobe house. Also, the Pueblo Antigua, outside San José, has a living museum featuring the carts.

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Green Mountain Coffee, Coffee Source Costa Rica & Kids Share Workshops

KSW-GMCR 5MIN Presentation (webinar)

Two years ago I fell in love with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters! The company believes strongly in Social Responsibility and not only proudly announces this to the world but takes action. I took time to learn about the many non-profits GMCR supports and became inspired!

But finding my way to this wonderful coffee company, so close to my own home would take time to make the connection with GMCR. In January 2010  I had just boldly and bravely taught a Kids Share program with  volunteers  in a very rural coffee community. We found ourselves traveling to San Ramon, El Roblar, Nicaragua living on a primitive and very rural family coffee farm for three weeks. This would not only be a life changing experience for me but the inspiration to see the importance of Coffee, Kids and Cross Cultural Sharing.

GMCR supports many great causes from women’s health to food security.  In a quick and simple program I wanted to focus on the kids and how to reach them by making fun connections with children and adults living in the Americas. How could I help bridge cultures through coffee? With the help of Partners of the Amiercas, my parent organization, the focus is making this happen through the Arts, Writing and Environmental Exploration by using technology.

This January I have been invited to teach a fun two day program with Winston Rost, Farmer Relations Manager for GMCR and Source Employees  in Costa Rica. We will be visiting in the communities of Doka, La Hilda, BES, Las Lajas an organic “honey process” coffee farm and Cafe Altura de San Ramon.

I am super excited to be on this upcoming adventure with the GMCR source employees who are being awarded this trip as outstanding employees! Please see the pdf presentation of Kids Share two hour program to learn more. KSW-GMCR 5MIN Presentation (webinar)

Saludos,

Kristina Applegate Lutes, Founder & Program Director

The Coffee Source Team from Costa Rica

Arnoldo Juan Lizano, Coffee Trader with The Coffee Source (LIST)

The Coffee Source Meeting with Kids Share Workshops

Friday, Oct. 7th

Day 8: The Coffee Source Meeting with Kids Share Workshops

After a refreshing hike Friday morning, Lorena, Sister Schools president, and I traveled to San Jose to meet with Arnoldo Leiva, manager of The Coffee Source. The reason for this meeting was to discuss how Kids Share Workshops (KSW) could facilitate a week long visit with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) Source Employees in Costa Rica with Arnoldo’s coffee community members. Arnoldo was introduced to me through Winston Rost, GMCR Farmer Relations Manager in Waterbury, Vermont.

Our meeting went very well as I tried to navigate the jigsaw puzzle I was visualizing with The Coffee Source connection, GMCR, KSW and Partners of the Americas (Sister Schools).  Arnoldo explained to me that he was to bring 13 of his community members to Waterbury, Vermont, November 17. He asked if I would join them at GMCR, share my program and discuss how it could fit into their time with the employees. Arnoldo seemed to like the idea of Kids Share Workshops helping to bring community children together with the adults, through cross cultural sharing, during a short visit. Additionally, Lorena explained that Sister Schools & Partners of the Americas volunteers could assist in facilitating this cross cultural connection.

Lorena and Arnoldo made a connection with Escuela Santa Cecilia located in San Pedro de Poás, the province of Alajuela. We also recently discovered another GMCR source, Escuela El Socorro, Piedades Sur de San Ramón, which is called a unidocente because there is only one teacher with 12 students. Lorena will try to organize other unidocente schools to join us, allowing up to 40 students to participate in the program with GMCR employees.

I explained to Arnoldo what I was visualizing with GMCR for the week. I understood that we are to visit a handful of communities. Some if not all I would give a 1-2 hour program with the employees and youth. A recent example of this was in Oregon at the Bienestar Community School. Adults and children enjoyed a 1.5 hour program painting and decorating recycled containers from their newly created tissue art. The activity was so much fun, and it can be used on many different objects to create beautiful pieces of work. It also brought us all together and created a special friendship. Later I was to receive beautiful thank you cards from all the children!

In addition to creating art I hope to organize in a couple of community’s environmental exploration, where the children take the adults on an adventure, approved by me but a surprise to the adults. That activity would have to be carefully considered depending on the adults endurance. One such surprise was recently in Guatemala when I announced to the children that we will play on a zip line and draw the rainforest in our newly made journals from recycled material.

Bringing adults and children together through playful, fun activities like these are thrilling for me! Wish us luck as we work with this idea for the first time in Costa Rica! I am excited to bring smiles and fun to not only the children’s faces but the adults who may have never been to this beautiful country!

About Arnoldo Leiva, quoted from National Coffee Association’s Website

“As General Manager of The Coffee Source, Inc., in San José, Costa Rica, Arnoldo Leiva is not only responsible for all aspects of sourcing green coffees from Latin American countries and exporting them to Europe, the United States and Asia, he also manages the import and sales division for the U.S. market.  Mr. Leiva is also active with several coffee associations both in Costa Rica and the United States and is currently President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica and Sintercafe and sits on the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s International Relations Council representing Costa Rica. Mr. Leiva received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de C.A. in San José and an MBA from the National University of San Diego.”

Visiting Pan-American & Sistema Educativo San Isidro Labrador Schools

A special note from Kristina, Program Director:

“I am obviously home from my site investigation, adventure in Costa Rica. Each week  I am sharing each day’s exciting development as to not overwhelm you with the entire three week journey! What we have coordinated thus far with Sister Schools (Partners of the Americas is: three schools in Costa Rica connecting with two schools in Oregon and hopefully one school in Vermont for the 2012 KSW program. As I am writing this blog I am sitting in the back seat of my car in front of the public library in Montpelier, VT before meeting a friend for dinner. My followers and volunteers mean a lot to me!”-Kristina, Dedicated Program Director

Wednesday & Thursday-October, 5 & 6

Day 6: Pan-America School in San Antonio de Belen, Heredia

Lorena wanted me to see an upscale school in Heredia to have a clearer panorama of elementary education in Costa Rica. I was greeted by Caroline Magnus, Early Childhood Coordinator. Caroline  gave me a quick tour of the school. Many of the students at Pan-America School come from upper class families. The facility was very friendly. The students are so used to teachers from the U.S. they did not notice me while I passed through the hallways. Children here receive one of the best educations Costa Rica has to offer.

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Although, I will not be teaching at this school because it does not fit the profile Kids Share Workshops seeks to facilitate, I felt this was a valuable connection for me. Perhaps Pan-American School will be interested in including less fortunate educational communities for a possible afternoon workshop? Bringing children together from vastly different economic backgrounds could show children at a young age the value of sharing lives through compassion.

Day 7:  Sistema Educativo San Isidor Labrador, Heredia

Upon entering this school we were greeted by a friendly faculty and quiet school. The children were in the classrooms. The administrator Cecilia Solis kindly gave us a tour of the school. Our first stop was a beautiful mural painting that was created by a famous Costa Rican Artist.  It’s vibrant colors and depiction of well known birds was very inviting for any age. As we began to walk through the small, well laid out school I began to see more beautiful mural art by students and visiting artists.

The classrooms were on two floors with a very nice garden out front. The landscaping of this small area was warm and inviting with a sitting patio under a large tree.  We noticed hidden, small vegetable gardens which were beginning to sprout.

When I was introduced to the students in every classroom, they were very friendly and well behaved! Lorena and I commented on this school having very well disciplined children.

Finally, I gave a presentation to the faculty. They enjoyed learning about KSW and showed a lot of interest in the enrichment program. I am working to coordinate this school with Sister Schools (Partners of the Americas) to cross culturally share with a sister school in Oregon for next winter. The art and English teacher will be able to assist me. They requested this program be taught during the school hours. Wish us luck!

Ps. You can see Don Ruff, the Chapter President in Oregon visiting this school after I had left. I was fortunate enough to have an afternoon with Don before leaving the next day to Vermont. Thank you Don for doing a wonderful job with connections!

Raquel’s Artist Casa in Grecia

Artists Family in Grecia

Tuesday-October, 4

After saying goodbye to Escuela Peters, we began our hiking journey to the town of Sarchi. Along the way I was struck by the lush landscape of coffee, sugar cane, bamboo and tropical trees on the hill sides. I also noticed beautiful Oxcart designs on the bridges and buildings which are painted by local artists and I was told only found in Sarchi.

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Approximately 2 miles later we arrived in the down town of Sarchi. After looking at a local artist/tourist shop and finding some unique gifts, we took a taxi from Sarchi to Grecia where Raquel’s family lived. When arriving at her parent’s home I was greeted by her father Ismael and Rosemary. Rosemary had prepared a nice lunch of pasta and sauce, bread and salad. We also had a wonderful custard and plantain desert. Rosemary had three art students at her home who were learning to draw landscapes.  I really enjoyed watching the students develop their paintings using watercolor and images of landscapes during my visit.

Next Rosemary and Raquel took me into a room filled with incredible artwork! I was struck by the enormous talent of the mother and daughter team. Raquel made paintings that were in pieces and could be rearranged to make different paintings. She also used piece of wood which she painted stories and attached in interesting ways. Her art work made me want to discover the stories behind them. Her mother Rosemary painted on larger canvases and had a wonderful sense of design using many geometric shapes. Her style was so warm and her depiction of woman very unique. Both of them often painted cups of coffee with their figures. I am super excited to work with them next winter! Before I left both Rosemary and Raquel gave me artwork. Raquel also gave me a book she had illustrated, Dientes de leche for children.

The program is to evoke in each child a unique ability they may not know they have. By touching on the arts, literacy and exploration through technology, I can only imagine the awesome creativity we will be bringing to this rural coffee community school through Kids Share Workshops and Sister Schools!

“The schools I have visited on this site investigation are being considered based on volunteer support, desire for cultural connections and home stay accommodations. All schools will be supported by Sister Schools through Partners of the Americas.” 

Kristina Applegate Lutes, Program Director & Founder

Escuela Peters in San Juan de Sarchi

Tuesday-October, 4

Day 5: Escuela Peters in San Juan de Sarchi de Alajuea

Early Tuesday morning Lorena drove me to San Jose to meet with Raquel Mara Vega, an incredibly talented artist! Raquel received me at the bus station. We had to take three buses which became a one hour journey to Gracia & Sarchi. I enjoyed my conversations with Raquel and was very impressed with her interests in life. She explained to me that as a hobby she was studying law but her true passion was art. She also mentioned having a degree in Sociology. Raquel is 27.

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As we traveled by buses I watched the country side transform to sugar cane and coffee farms. The hill sides became rich with vegetation. It was beautiful to see but I wondered about the rainforest and the species that used to live there? I was imagining beautiful tropical forests now transformed to lush farmland.

Raquel’s father Ismael was waiting for us at the bus stop to deliver us to a school in Sarchi. When we arrived at Escuela Peters the children rushed towards us. I was delighted and warmed by their reception. Many wanted me to take their picture. We were introduced by the principal and lead into her office, where I gave a brief presentation, followed by a tour through the classrooms and school. In each classroom, the children all smiled and loved the visit. Overall, we felt very welcome!

The kindergarten classroom was exciting! I noticed simple decorated masks and boxes decorated as horses that could be placed over one’s shoulders. The teacher saw me admiring the children’s work and insisted I put on one of the horse costumes. We all laughed because the horse was too small for me but the teacher insisted on its placement. I think it tore a little and I made a spectacle of myself!  Everyone laughed and then we made a group photo.

Raquel agreed to volunteer teach at this school with the assistance of  Sister Schools. Escuela Peters is currently not part of  Sister Schools and Partners of the Americas. 

Her strength in the arts, literacy, interest in working with children and good translation skills would be the perfect fit to work with Kids Share Workshops.  Her job would be coordinating with the Art and English teachers, days of the week, time of day and teacher volunteers. This would have to be organized before the program begins in late February. The school would be responsible for gathering a few simple art supplies and volunteer teacher support. One of the following Exploration projects would need to be determined, building a simple community garden or visiting a coffee or sugar farm.

I am thrilled to have Raquel’s assistance with this beautiful school in Sarchi. We will make a great team and I am sure we will all be inspired by her exceptional creativity!

Stay tuned for the next blog posting of Raquel’s artist home in Grecia!

Puntarenas La Playa

Sunday-October, 2

Day 3: Puntarenas La Playa (Please scroll down to see the slide show!)

Sunday was exciting because I was able to go to the beach in Puntarenas with Ana Gonzalez, a teacher at Senora de Lourdes Escuela. She also brought her husband Carlos and daughter Maria Jose. The drive through the country side after leaving San Jose was picturesque with lush mountains, coffee and sugar farms throughout the hill sides. We had wonderful conversations in Spanish and English!

Puntarenas was beautiful for me but I was told it was not the most beautiful beach to visit. However, it was only an hour and 20 minutes away from Barva, Heredia a frequent place to swim for native Costa Rican’s.  The sand was dark and a lot of drift wood washed ashore. We saw the Princess cruise ship docked on a long white dock. Many tourists got off to shop on the boardwalk. Vendors had some beautiful crafts and nice food for sale. To add to my mask collection of Central America, I bought one for only $6 which is a grumpy old man’s face made from a large bamboo tree.

Later we drove to a country club to change and swim at the beach. While driving in I saw a small iguana trying to get in as well! We walked along the shore before swimming and found interesting seeds with beautiful flowers coming out of them. Maria Jose, Ana and I swam for a long time. I did not want to get out of the very warm waters and relaxing waves.  The mountains on the distant islands made this a beautiful paradise!

Afterwards we swam at the country club where I was the only gringa. I felt very connected culturally with Ana’s family at Puntarenas La Playa! Before we drove home, Ana and her husband treated me to a wonderful dinner at a restaurant, overlooking an inlet where people were swimming. Ana shared an interesting fact with me that there is a strong Chinese’s influence in Costa Rica. On our way back to Brava I photographed a large ship which read CHINA in large letters on the side of the ship.

I felt this was a wonderful way for Ana and her family to cross culturally share with me on the weekend! 

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